Red Bulls Beat Atlante Reserves, 3-1

Forwards Thierry
Henry and Corey Hertzog and midfielder Matt Kassel opened their respective
scoring accounts, as the New York Red Bulls earned a 3-1 win over a side consisting
of Atlante’s Reserves and Under-20 Saturday afternoon.

Playing in
soggy conditions, the Red Bulls overcame a bumpy pitch and their feisty, young
opponent to earn their second preseason win of the year, improving their record
to 2-0.

“I told the
players before the game this is the kind of fitness we need at the moment to
play games because it is a different rhythm than just doing training sessions,”
said Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe.

Playing the
same Starting XI that featured in the full first half against the Atlante First
Team last Wednesday, New York
controlled the opening stanza. Midfielder Dane Richards tested the Mexicans
early, forcing the Atlante goalkeeper to make a stop five minutes in after the
Jamaican danced through the opposition’s defense. In the 10th
minute, the goalkeeper was again called upon when Rafa Marquez’s corner kick
swung dangerously towards goal.

After
persistent pressure, the Red Bulls drew first blood in the 30th
minute. Forward Juan Agudelo had the ball on the right wing and put in a low
cross to Henry, who took a touch before sliding his shot off the left post and
into the back of the net. Backe said that he has been impressed so far with how
the team’s new captain has been training in the first few weeks of camp and said he
“looked lively” on Saturday.

“I think
for everyone, even if he’s such an experienced player that has won everything,
it’s still important for him as a striker to score goals,” Backe said. “But I
think the fact that we looked more solid as a team was the key.”

Atlante’s
best chance of the half came in the 18th minute, as Andres Toloza raced
through and blasted a left footed shot over the bar.

“I think we
had another solid game defensively,” said defender Tim Ream. “We’re continuing
to build on the foundation that we have staying compact and really working on
team defense like we did last year. We’re trying to carry it over into every game
and the regular season.”

After the
break, the Red Bulls searched for their second goal, trotting out a young
lineup for the second-straight game. Forward Conor Chinn dispossessed an
Atlante defender in the 51st minute and found John Rooney, who put
his attempt just past the left post. Later, Chinn had a good opportunity to
score himself, taking an Austin da Luz feed and blasting it high.

Kassel scored the eventual game-winner 10
minutes from full time. After a poor clearance by the Atlante goalkeeper, who was
well outside of his area, Kassel
slammed a 35-yard attempt from the right wing into the back of the net.

Having more
possession in the second half, Atlante pulled one back as Joaquin Vigil raced
through the center of New York’s
defense and slotted it past goalkeeper Alex Horwath.

However,
the Red Bulls quickly retook their two-goal advantage two minutes later.
Hertzog gained possession on the left wing and floated a ball into the box that
went around the goalkeeper and tucked into the goal.

New York returns to preseason action on
Tuesday, Feb. 15 when it takes on Chivas de Guadalajara at Omnilife Stadium.

“I’ve never
played with a crowd that big or played this big of a game so I’m just really
excited to see what’s going to happen during the game,” said the rookie
Hertzog.